Hong Kong, China hosted against Turkmenistan at home in Hong Kong Stadium on Tuesday night for the Preliminary Joint Qualification for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027TM. Hong Kong, China 2:2 draw with Turkmenistan.
Both teams started the game agressively and produced numerous scoring chances. It took just four minutes for Turkmenistan to break the deadlock when Amanov Arslanmyrat's long pass found Mingazov Ruslan, who calmly slotted the ball past the goalkeeper to give his team a 1:0 lead. However, Hong Kong China quickly responded and in the 12th minute, they found the equalizer through Like Yue Tze Nam's assist, as Wong Wai headed the ball into the net from a right-wing cross.
Turkmenistan launched a relentless offensive afterwards, with Amanov Arslanmyrat making a daring run down the right flank in the 14th minute, only to see his long-range shot veer off target. Just a minute later, Annadurdyyev Altymyrat's right-footed attempt from inside the box, following a precise through pass from his teammate, was timely blocked by the goalkeeper. It wasn't until the 36th minute that Turkmenistan finally regained their lead. Amanov Arslanmyrat made a penetrating run into the penalty area from the right and delivered a cross, which was met by Mingazov Ruslan's powerful header, completing his brace and propelling Turkmenistan to a 2:1 lead once again.
Hong Kong China had a chance to level the score before the first half ended. Michael Udebuluzor received a pass from Tsz Nam and skillfully shook off his marker as he stormed into the penalty area. However, his shot from a tight angle narrowly missed the target. Soon after, Mingazov Ruslan made a strong run down the right flank and delivered a pass to Annadurdyyev Altymyrat, who quickly turned and unleashed a right-footed shot, only to be denied by the goalkeeper. At halftime, Turkmenistan holds a 2:1 lead.
The second half saw Hong Kong China take control of the game, dominating possession and creating several scoring opportunities. In the 54th minute, Everton unleashed a powerful left-footed strike from a tight angle, only to be denied by the goalkeeper, resulting in a corner kick for Hong Kong China. Seizing the opportunity, Hong Kong China swiftly took the corner from the right and was cleared by Turkmenistan defender, Tan Chun Lok was the first to the loose ball and unleashed a fierce right-footed shot, only to see the ball ricochet off the crossbar. Hong Kong China’s effort finally paid off in the 65th minute.Huang Wei's pinpoint free kick from the left flank found its way into the penalty area, where the goalkeeper's attempted punch fell kindly to Everton, who wasted no time in slotting the ball home, restoring parity for Hong Kong China at 2:2.
Both teams continued to push for a winner in the closing stages of the game. However, despite some close calls, including Shinichi Chan's rebound shot that saved by the goalkeeper and Mingkasov Ruslan's missed chance from a close-range effort, neither side could find the decisive goal. The match ended in a hard-fought 2:2 draw, with both teams earning a valuable point in their quest for World Cup and Asian Cup qualification.